Stronger ties critical to development of both Việt Nam, China: President

BEIJING — Stronger co-operation in all spheres between Việt Nam and China is critical to each country’s development, bringing about economic benefits and reinforcing mutual trust and friendship between the two peoples, said President Trần Đại Quang.

He made the remark during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing yesterday, which was part of his State visit to China.

The President underlined that amidst complex global situation, the enhancement of the Việt Nam-China friendship and co-operation is an objective demand and in line with the two peoples’ fundamental and long-term interests. It will also benefit peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

He asked the Chinese Premier to continue paying attention to the implementation of some measures to expand and improve the effectiveness of bilateral co-operation.

In terms of trade, Quang said he hopes ministries, sectors and localities of China will soon finalise legal procedures to open the Chinese market for milk, dairy products, fruits, aquatic products and pork of Việt Nam. He urged the Chinese side to continue facilitating trading between the two countries’ major businesses in coal and agricultural products, especially rice and cassava.

Stronger trading of agricultural products will not only help boost the healthy and sustainable growth of bilateral trade but also practically benefit Vietnamese farmers, he noted.

The working group for infrastructure cooperation should further bring into play its role in order to promote major investment projects, especially in renewable and clean energy, that represent China’s strength and development level and match Việt Nam’s demand and sustainable development strategy.

Quang urged that the two sides push their businesses to swiftly address existing problems in co-operation projects.

Regarding financial partnership, he called on China to provide Việt Nam with more preferential loans and facilitate Việt Nam’s access to concessional credit sources within the framework of ASEAN-China and Mekong-Lancang co-operation.

He said the two countries should step up collaboration in agriculture and environment with a focus on climate change response, sustainable use of water resources of the Mekong/Lancang River, and creation of rice varieties tolerant of drought and saltwater intrusion in Việt Nam. They should also strengthen ties in science-technology and in ensuring nuclear and radiation safety.

Quang highlighted the need to intensify win-win co-operation between Vietnamese and Chinese localities in economy, trade, tourism, border management and protection of legitimate interests of seasonal workers in border areas.

It is necessary to continue to open and upgrade pairs of border gates, apply customs facilitation measures, cooperate to fight crimes and keep security and order in border areas, and maintain a peaceful and stable environment for the two countries’ co-operation and development, he added.

On this occasion, the President conveyed an invitation to visit Việt Nam from Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc to Premier Li Keqiang.

For his part, Li reiterated that the Party, Government and people of China treasure the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive co-operation with Việt Nam. China believes that the two countries’ stable development brings opportunities for each other, he said.

According to the premier, China pays attention to Việt Nam’s concerns and has stepped up measures to increase the import of Việt Nam’s agricultural products, improve trade balance, and create more favourable conditions for the provision of concessional credit packages. It has also actively worked in response to Việt Nam’s request relating to the sustainable use of cross-border water resources, he said.

He agreed with Quang’s opinion on the need to enhance strategic discussions and direct the two countries’ sectors and localities to seriously comply with common perceptions reached by senior leaders of Việt Nam and China. Both sides should actively carry out measures to reinforce co-operation in all fields, thereby contributing to the Việt Nam-China comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership.

At the meeting, Li also accepted the invitation to visit Việt Nam.

Meeting Chinese officials

Also yesterday, Quang had separate meetings with Yu Zhengsheng, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Liu Yunshan, member of the Politburo Standing Committee and Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee’s Secretariat, Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of Chinat Party of China Central Committee’s Secretariat.

The same day, Quang hosted a reception for a delegation from the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the China-Việt Nam Friendship Association (CVFA) and relatives of Chinese patriotic personalities, cadres and experts who had friendly relations with Việt Nam, led by CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin. During his state visit to China, Quang also received representatives of some Chinese groups, during which he affirmed that Việt Nam will continue creating favourable conditions for Chinese companies to do business in the country for mutual benefits. — VNS